Ealing Council’s Music Service is launching the Alice Gross Memorial Song Writing Award. Young Ealing singer-songwriters can apply for the chance to record a song in a professional music studio.

The song writing award has been added to seven existing categories for young musicians and singers that are already offered by Ealing Music Service. These awards are designed to help talented students progress to their fullest potential and are aimed at pupils whose families cannot afford the increased cost of tuition in line with their progression.

The British Grove Studios in Chiswick, founded by Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits is offering the prize of a one day recording session at the studios for the award winner. Applicants for the award must be in year 10 or 11 and either live or go to school in Ealing.

Alice Gross was a promising musician and song writer who attended Brentside High School in Ealing and tragically lost her life in September 2014. Alice hoped, one day, to have a career in music.

Cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Binda Rai said: "As a council we wanted to honour Alice’s memory and the love she had for music making and song writing by creating this award in her memory to give the opportunity for other young people to share their music."

"We have a lot of talented and creative young people in our borough and there are several awards suitable for a range of musicians from seven to 26-years-old. I would like to encourage applications from young people of all abilities and backgrounds to apply for these awards."

Details on all Ealing Council’s Music Service Awards can be found at www.ealingmusicservice.com/awards

Alice’s family have also set up Alice’s Youth Music Memorial Fund in support of the National Foundation for Youth Music to enable disadvantaged young musicians and singers to follow their musical passions. For more information visit Alice Gross Memorial Fund